Memorial held for gay El Paso teen who committed suicide after being bullied

The mother of Brandon Elizares, Zachalyn Elizares, and Brandon's best friend, Shaquail Reed, comfort each other as they took turns talking about him at his memorial Friday night at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church.

Before he died Elizares put his school awards on display in his room and left a note for his family. The note, according to a remembrance, read:
"My name is Brandon Elizares and I couldn't make it. I love you guys with all my heart. I am sorry but that I felt terrible because I had to hide under my skin."

About 100 people attended the memorial at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church during a blustery evening in Northeast El Paso. The memorial was sponsored by PFLAG, which stands for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

The boy's family plans to take Elizares's body to his native Hawaii for burial.

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His mother, Zachalyn Elizares, described how some of her son's friends abandoned him when he told them at the age of 14 that he was gay.

She said her son put up a strong front when people made mean comments about his sexual orientation but she knew the teasing hurt him.

"Think before you speak. ... What these people didn't see were the silent tears that fell at night," she said.

During the eulogy, a teenage girl who is mildly handicapped described her friend Brandon as a "superhero" and "older brother" who had promised to teach her to ride a bike even though she has difficulty walking. She spoke of being bullied since she was in first grade and also trying to kill herself last year. Many in the audience cried as she spoke.

Bullying in schools has received national attention in recent years. Bullying can be especially difficult for gay and lesbian teens who are also more likely to commit suicide, members of the gay community said.

The Rev. Kati L. Houts of Metropolitan Community Church said that people should use the memory of Elizares as motivation to take a stand against anti-gay bigotry, bullying and intolerance because God made everyone unique.

"I am encouraging all of us to take a stand to prevent what happened to Brandon to other people," Houts said. "I pray no other child has to experience such treatment that people inflict on one another.

"Every person you see, you are looking into a different face of God," Houts said. "God wants us to fit into the plan God has for each of us. It is alright to be different."

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotime.com; 546-6102. Follow him on Twitter @BorundaDaniel.